Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacks
Why would they go the the KHL?
Ovechkin 9M on a long term contract
Malkin just re-signed at 9.5M
Datsyk just re-signed for 7.5M average including 10M the first year in his mid 30's
Kovalchuk 11.3M on a stupid contract
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But these were all players that came to North America to play hockey and didn't have crazy contracts.
I think the point some people are trying to make is that if the Flames draft Nichushkin, and he is really that good, he will get his money in North America rather than go back to Russia - just like the superstars you mentioned above. If he ends up bombing, then who cares where he goes (just like Filatov and others)?
I would think the Flames have scouted him enough, and interviewed him enough if they end up drafting him. I think teams are justified to be a bit more leery of drafting Russians, but it would be full-###### to avoid a potential franchise superstar when the majority of Russians that actually make it in the NHL end up staying in the NHL. He either has the talent to make it and stays in the NHL, or he doesn't and goes back home.